A Comparison of Tubular Minimal Invasive Surgery and Conventional Surgery in The Treatment of Patients Suffering from Single Level Lumber Disc Herniation (Short Term Follow Up)

Abstract

Background:  Lumbar disc herniation is frequently-occurring and the most common spine-related disease in orthopedic surgery. However, nearly more than 50% of affected persons usually respond to conservative treatment. Furthermore, there is another group of patients who are suffering from incapacitating low back pain and sciatica although they have been treated for more than 6 weeks or who are suffering from early or progressive neurological impairment that required another approach far from the conservative treatments.

Aim of the Study: The present study is designed to unveil the most reliable procedure which should be most adopted for single level lumbar disc herniation in Iraqi patients.

Patients and Methods: A total of 40 patients who were suffering from back pain radiated to the lower limb were included in the present investigation.  Out of them, 20 patients underwent open discectomy and the other 20 patients underwent tubular discectomy.

Results:

1- At the 10^th day of postoperatively assessment, an obvious statistically significant decrease in the mean total Oswestry low back pain disability score was recorded in micro-tubular discectomy compared with the open discectomy ( P<0.001).

2-  At the 6^th month of postoperatively, the mean total Oswestry low back pain disability score was increased in both groups; nonetheless, there has still been a decrease in the micro-tubular discectomy group in comparison with that of open discectomy group (P<0.001).